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| Geographical overview | Taranaki Land Search & Rescue | |
| Contacts | ||
| Taranaki SAR Communications | Taranaki Alpine Cliff Rescue Inc. | |
| Exercise pictures | ||
| updated January 2002 |
The dairying province of Taranaki is situated on the west coast of the North Island and has a reputation for some of the best surfing conditions in the country. It extends from the Mokau River mouth in the north to the Patea river mouth in the south with rugged bush country to the east, bordering the Wanganui river. New Plymouth, the largest town with a population of 49,000 is a deep sea port and the centre of New Zealands’ oil and gas industry. All SAR operations are run from the New Plymouth Police Station.
The most notable geographic feature is the dominant volcano Mount Egmont,
or Taranaki to give it its Maori name. Bearing a striking resemblance in
shape to Japan's Mount Fujiama, it stands 8,260 feet or 2,516 metres high
and is an easy three hour rock scramble to the summit in summertime. However,
in winter, conditions are very different, providing some of the best snow
and ice climbs in the country and a training ground where many of our top
climbers have honed their skills. It is not a mountain to be taken lightly
as there have been 56 fatalities up to the present, averaging out at one
or two a year in recent times.
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An average year could see around 12 to 15 land SAR operations, mostly in winter with about two thirds of these being on the mountain or in the adjoining ranges and the balance in the back country bush where the terrain is as rugged as anywhere in New Zealand.